My name is Eric Niragira. I am a Burundian from Kiganda Commune in Muramvya Province. I have lived my whole life in Burundi, completing secondary school in 2002 and graduating from university in 2011.

The following will provide a description of who I am, and how the war in Burundi affected my life, in particular as someone who has witnessed gross atrocities and survived. As a result of these life experiences I wanted to make a positive effort to change the world. This is my story as it relates to the creation of (CEDAC).What I am about to describe are only a minimum number of events and life experiences that have obliged me to make the decisions I have in consideration of our common humanity. May each one of you who read this message find an auspicious opportunity to change your own behaviour and turn your focus towards bettering our world.

As said above,we are living still in Burundi, where I studied at ISGM University, focusing on management at the Technical Sciences of Development Faculty.

Ex-child soldier Eric Niragira, a Burundian-born Hutu, founded theTraining Centre for Development of Ex-Combatants (CEDAC).

Our vision

CEDAC vision is a peaceful and sustainable developed world. Some of the organisation's members have directly participated in armed conflict, while others have been victims of conflict through their indirect participation. CEDAC wants to interlink all victims of conflict within and across borders. Our vision seeks to eliminate conflict and sustain peace by creating means of reintegration for ex-combatants and others indirectly affected by conflict.

Our mission

Our mission is to support all victims of armed conflict. We seek to reduce armed violence through job creation, as well as offering other types of victim assistance such as psychosocial support to facilitate reintegration into society.

CEDAC values

At CEDAC, we hold our values of transparency, tolerance and honesty in the highest regard, because without these values we would not be able to survive as a not-for profit aid organisation. For example, without transparency our finical supporters, those involved in our projects and other stakeholders would not be able to hold us accountable. This in turn leads to an environment of mistrust.

It goes without saying that we uphold and value honesty at CEDAC. We believe that acting openly and honesty is not only good practice, but is essential for working in development and aid.

CEDAC is built also under a tolerance basis. This implies a high degree of acceptance for differences of races and ethnicity, background and diversity of ideas. Thus, CEDAC is an environment where contribution is reserved for everyone.